Mollohan drops $55K on legal fees

Democratic Rep. Alan Mollohan (W.Va.), whose earmarks to donors spurred a federal probe, paid $55,000 in legal fees to a white-collar criminal defense firm in the third quarter, according to his latest FEC filing.

Mollohan has insisted that he never engaged in any improper or unethical activity, but the Justice Department did look into some of the non-profits that Mollohan steered tens of millions of dollars in earmarks toward.

The West Virginia Democrat has privately insisted to colleagues that DOJ investigation is not going anywhere, but he's spent nearly $78,000 on defense attorneys this year alone.

Mollohan reported having nearly $176,000 in cash-on-hand at the Sept. 30 deadline.